U.S. Envoy Urges Lebanon to Rein in Hezbollah Amid Fragile Ceasefire

On Saturday, a key U.S. envoy visited Beirut amidst a fragile ceasefire with Israel, intensifying pressure on Lebanon to rein in the militant group Hezbollah. Deputy U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, engaged with prominent Lebanese officials including President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, emphasizing the necessity for the Lebanese Army to maintain authority over the entirety of Lebanon, beyond the designated area south of the Litani River.

Ortagus's discussions centered around the importance of controlling the Lebanese territory and preventing arms smuggling along the Syrian border, following a history of clashes in the region that have raised fears of escalating instability. He expressed support for the Lebanese Army's current efforts regarding Hezbollah’s disarmament, highlighting that the U.S. expects further advancements in this area according to reports from a Lebanese official who wished to remain unnamed.

In his statement regarding the meeting with Ortagus, President Aoun characterized their talks as productive, focusing on the pressing issues of regional security and economic recovery. Ortagus also welcomed the Lebanese government’s commitment to engage in shuttle diplomacy aimed at persuading Israel to withdraw its forces from five strategic positions it continues to hold in southern Lebanon, despite a previous deadline that went unmet.

Further discussions included the reforms proposed by the Lebanese government, such as improving banking regulations and administrative reforms, with an urgent need for an agreement with the International Monetary Fund underscored. The envoy's talks with Speaker Berri, a Hezbollah ally, were also significant; Berri expressed concerns over Israeli military actions that he accused of violating the ceasefire and United Nations resolutions, as Israel has continued its airstrikes in parts of Lebanon while Hezbollah has denied responsibility for recent rocket fire from the region into Israel.